I put the Swain on Miss B--it was low in back but I understand that these
saddles can be shimmed to balance. We went "as is" just to look at the
sweat pattern & see if I really would find it comfortable for me. It was
love the first time I eased into it. There is plenty of panel, my knees
don't overhang the flaps, and my leg isn't forced as forward as on the
Stubben. Posting is natural and easy. The seat is very flat with a
squared-off cantle--no interference for posting and plenty of room to move
around as you negotiate hills and rough terrain. The kneerolls help you
balance on slopes.
Now the bad news....she didn't like the saddle. Oh she went down the road,
but she kept spooking at every little thing, turned her neck to the right &
generally moved in a choppy, compressed fashion. The front panels did not
seem to be the problem--rather it was the rear panels that seem to snag her
in the kidney area and she REALLY doesn't like that. Kevin & I switched
horses and saddles, he on Miss B with the Sharon Saare and me on Kasey with
the Swain. Kasey has a much longer back, good withers on a medium wide tree
size; and the saddle snugged down on him without requiring any additional
balancing at first. He moved out with his usual calm elan, no "propping"
(see an earlier description from another rider...no you aren't alone in
this!), no spooking, no boy-fuss-stuff that he often shares with Kevin.
Miss B also went down the road ears up & cheerful. Sigh, now what....
Kasey is Kevin's horse, etc.
Well, the solution hit us like a ton of bricks (actually we had been
flirting with the idea subconsciously for some time now)....why not TRADE
HORSES? Kevin originally got Kasey so he could on to the 100's (Kasey being
much younger & having already done one). But Kasey has always been much
happier when the old broad rides him...perhaps he's just a "ladies man" at
heart. Miss B has always been OK with both Kevin & I but as the Stubben fit
her less and less better, she became barn sour and not always willing to do
the job. Miss B likes the western endurance type saddle, she likes Kevin,
she's real competitive and outrageously athletic--so why not let Kevin take
her & see if she can do it? Besides she is a clone of Kevin's true love, Mr
T, in personality, way-of-going & speed--but about 4 times smarter and able
to take care of herself.
So, Mom now has a new saddle and a new horse. Wasn't that easy
(umptymillion dollars and 2 years later)? Of course, I realize I will have
to work with the OT Swain to find the right "balance" combination to fit
Kasey. But that's do-able. I can't tell you how wonderful the saddle felt,
narrow twist 'n all. So I'm in the first flush of love--we'll see if this
relationship has long-term possibilities...but I'm ever so hopeful.
You can bet 'yer booties (all puns intended) THIS goes in the database
(well, it's my database after all!).
And I'll need to put on D-rings (nary a one on the cantle)...but that's trivial.
We were supposed to go out with a big group to train over in Jersey
today....forecast is for light snow, sleet &/or freezing rain. Guess
not.... Will this winter never end?
Diane @ Safe Haven
Allentown, PA